Written questions by Bowie.

Whether the Government plans to support electricity generation from landfill gas at large landfills where the RO accreditation is due to expire in March 2027.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has his department made of the potential merits of injecting landfill gas biomethane directly into the grid rather than burning it for electricity on site, in the context of the situation in the Gulf.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what assessment he has made of the potential generating capacity that could be delivered if new nuclear power stations were developed at the sites identified in the report.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the report's findings.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that could be supported by new nuclear developments at the sites identified in the report.

Awaiting answer.

When he plans to respond to the consultation on gas system resilience.

The department welcomes engagement on such an important issue and is making an assessment of all the evidence submitted. A response will be published in due course.

What impact the delay in responding to the gas resilience consultation will have on (a) energy security and (b) preparedness for future supply shocks.

The GB gas system has a strong track record of reliability, consistently meeting demand, including during periods of global uncertainty. We work closely with Ofgem, NESO and National Gas to monitor security of supply; and are confident that National Gas, ...

Whether his Department has issued guidance to energy companies on engagement with local historians, museums, and independent researchers with specialist knowledge of wartime crash sites.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts. This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Histo...

What due diligence is required of energy transmission developers to assess the presence of protected military remains on proposed development sites.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts. This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Histo...

When he will publish the results of Great British Energy - Nuclear’s study into potential sites for new nuclear development in Scotland.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. Ther...

How many barrels of oil equivalent in oil and gas are estimated to be in the UK Continental Shelf that have not received any licence for development from the North Sea Transition Authority.

The most recent North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) report was published in October 2025 and is available on the NSTA’s website.

What funding his Department provides to the Office for Nuclear Regulation to support collaboration and increased alignment with international regulators.

The Department provides funding to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to support collaboration and increased alignment with international regulators, through engagement in international fora and directly with regulators in other countries. This activity is funded through a programme to maintain the ONR’s capability and capacity to regulate Advanced Nuclear Technologies. The Department also provides funding to the ONR for their work under the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy to explore streamlining regulation and accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors across UK and US markets.

What assessment he has made of the requirement for offshore wind firms to sign the Fair Work Charter on trade union recognition and collective bargaining in the sector.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work. The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

What assessment has been made of the impact of the Hamburg Declaration on the UK’s targets for offshore wind capacity in the North Seas.

The Hamburg Declaration sets a collective ambition of 100 GW of offshore wind cooperation projects by 2050. This builds on the UK’s own ambitious Clean Power target where we aim to deploy 43-50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and accelerate to net zero. Further delivery targets will flow from strategic planning work such as NESO's Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, due to be consulted on in Q1 2027.

What steps he is taking to improve the physical and cyber security of the UK’s offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

The Department works closely with the energy industry, NESO, regulators and National Technical Authorities to strengthen the physical and cyber resilience of offshore renewable energy infrastructure. Recognising the risks to subsea and offshore assets, including vulnerabilities from accidental, negligent or intentional disruption, the Department is focused on proportionate measures to reduce opportunities for interference; with physical protection a key area of emphasis, reinforced by strengthened monitoring, detection and restoration arrangements. Government has set robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, with the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill set to enhance and modernise these protections. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves towards Net Zero targets.

How the commitments to workforce training in the Hamburg Declaration will be implemented to ensure a skilled workforce for Scotland's offshore renewables sector.

In the Hamburg Declaration, the North Sea countries have committed to deepen collaboration on enhanced availability of skilled workers, knowledge and expertise transfer, and upskilling. Although skills is devolved to the Scottish Government, the UK Government is investing in programmes to support those workers transitioning from oil and gas into renewables. As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, up to £20m in joint UK and Scottish Government funding is being provided to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, supporting North Sea workers to retrain into renewable roles. This builds on the successful pilot launched in July 2025 in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The Government is also supporting the expansion of the industry-led Energy Skills Passport and introducing a North Sea Jobs Service.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the new skills funding pot required by 2027 will effectively (a) train and (b) transition oil and gas workers to careers in offshore renewables.

The skills investment fund will allow for a collaborative approach to skills development in offshore wind, enabling interventions that target industry-level challenges. The Government will work with the offshore wind industry and Devolved Governments in 2026 to implement the fund in 2027. The Department is delivering a suite of measures to deliver a fair and prosperous transition for the oil and gas workforce. This includes up to £20 million from the UK and Scottish Governments to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, which funds retraining to support their transition, as well as a new North Sea Jobs Service to provide end-to-end transition support.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Clean Industry Bonus on driving private investment in British manufacturing including in coastal and industrial communities.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work. The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for offshore wind firms to sign the Fair Work Charter on (a) trends in the level of private investment and (b) creating skilled secure jobs in Scotland’s coastal communities.

The Clean Industry Bonus will ensure public funding supports high quality jobs in offshore wind by requiring firms to sign a Fair Work Charter. The Fair Work Charter commits signatories to early implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, supporting access to trade unions across the sector. Additionally, it will commit signatories to strive for best practice health and safety at work. The associated Impact Assessment highlights that the overall impact of changes to the Clean Industry Bonus are expected to be positive.

What funding mechanisms will be utilised to support cross-border offshore renewable energy projects between the UK and neighbouring North Sea countries.

The Government and Ofgem are developing a future approach to interconnection including offshore hybrid assets, and expect to publish further details in the spring. This will include consideration of delivery and finance models.